Harry Potter: Magic and Guns

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Is there anything convenient about traveling with Harry?

Oh, definitely!

For instance, when there's someone who looks tough and intimidating by your side, those annoying flies buzzing around are far fewer.

As 'romantic' French people, their parents naturally indulged in their own celebrations. When the Christmas holidays arrived, they packed their bags and went off to celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary. Although their daughters were beautiful and cute, to their father, they still couldn't compare to their mother.

The feeling of being left at home while your parents are out having fun is never pleasant. When they thought of how their parents were likely having a great time, the two girls couldn't help but feel a little restless. And thus, their skiing trip to the Alps was born.

Although the Delacour family was an old and prestigious wizarding family, France was not as isolated as England. While it wasn't ruled by Grindelwald's dark wizarding party, it maintained its full independence. Under the influence of Nicolas Flamel, France and Beauxbatons closely followed the new trends in the wizarding world.

Over the past decade, many alchemical tools designed to make life easier were inspired by Muggle technology. The newly established global magical network, for example, was inspired by Muggle internet.

These days, the divide between the magical and Muggle worlds still exists, but wizards who accepted new ideas no longer cling to their old ways. Their interaction with Muggle society has increased, and after shedding their prejudices, they realized that the technological world offered far more than the still-developing magical community.

Only after stepping outside the magical world did the once-isolated wizards truly understand how vast the world was. They had once been trapped in their own little cage.

"Did you book the hotel?"

As the train neared its destination, Harry asked Fleur. He noticed that accommodation wasn't listed in the travel notes she'd made and became curious.

"Huh?" Fleur seemed momentarily dazed. "Isn't that a hotel? I brought my family's tent." She patted her small backpack. "The guide said I should make a reservation by phone, but I'm not sure about that. But we have a tent, and it's spacious inside."

"A tent?"

After spending several hours together, Dudley was finally brave enough to speak. However, he didn't dare look into Fleur's eyes—her sapphire-blue eyes seemed to have some sort of magic that could easily pull him in, and Dudley didn't want to make a fool of himself again.

"Harry, why don't you help them book a room at the hotel later? It's freezing outside, how can anyone stay in a tent?"

"A wizard's tent might be bigger than our house." Harry clapped Dudley on the shoulder and whispered, "Magic is pretty impressive."

"Really?" Although Dudley had learned a few things about the magical world from Harry, this was the first time he had heard of such a thing.

"It has three levels, twelve rooms, and even a scenic viewing platform."

Fleur smiled and winked. The Delacour family was one of the wealthiest in France, with a deep heritage that had lasted for centuries.

"In that case, no hotel could compare. Even a presidential suite falls short when compared to a portable villa."

To be honest, Harry was rather curious about the grandeur of wizarding mansions. Aside from the Malfoy estate, he hadn't seen any other luxury wizarding homes.

"Harry, could you book a presidential suite for me? You know, the one you mentioned. I brought quite a bit of money."

With a curious look in her eyes, Fleur reached into her pocket and pulled out a stack of brand new 1,000 Swiss franc bills. There were at least two to three hundred thousand francs, which was equivalent to more than what Uncle Vernon earned in a year-end bonus.

"My uncle heard I was going to Switzerland, so he gave me some Muggle currency. But I haven't spent much of it so far. Do you think it's enough?"

"This should be enough for you to cover a month's stay." Harry, who had seen a lot of the world, wasn't shocked by the amount. Converted into Galleons, it was only worth a few thousand, and if exchanged on the black market, it might not even amount to 10,000 Galleons.

"I'll go tell Uncle Vernon. I can't bring my phone with me."

Phones were considered delicate electronic devices, and if they stayed too close to wizards, their magic would quickly ruin them. As of now, Muggle technology didn't really mix well with the magical world. The only items that could withstand magical modifications were simple devices, like radios.

Uncle Vernon was seated behind Harry and Dudley. As Harry stood up and leaned over, he saw Uncle Vernon's pale face. Having run to the bathroom several times, Uncle Vernon was now lying back, being tended to by Aunt Petunia. When Harry walked over, they exchanged a long, awkward stare.

"What's wrong?" Uncle Vernon straightened up and forced a weak smile, pretending nothing had happened.

"We can put other matters aside for now. I think Uncle Vernon, you need some treatment."

"Here, drink this." Harry pulled out a bottle of potion from his jacket, glowing ominously with a red light. "This is a refined stimulant potion. It'll not only keep you alert enough to stay awake all night, but it's also great for treating colds. Of course, it also works for weakness caused by an upset stomach. It even tastes great, like devil's chili peppers."

As Harry whispered these words near Uncle Vernon's ear, the latter immediately broke out into a cold sweat.

"I'll think about it... I don't like... uh... I can't handle chili..." Uncle Vernon stammered.

"But you couldn't beat Dudley when it comes to eating my spicy chicken." Harry said with a sly smile, then quickly pinched Uncle Vernon's nose and poured the potion into his mouth.

"Ssshh~ Ahhhh~~~"

Uncle Vernon's pale face immediately flushed bright red. The steam rising from his head was so intense it resembled the mist rising from a train's whistle, drawing curious stares from nearby passengers.

"It's not spicy! Not spicy at all!"

Uncle Vernon spoke with firm resolve, raising his voice as he tried to project an image of toughness.

"It tastes amazing!"

"Thump thump thump!" He slapped Harry on the shoulder with force, though it made his hand ache.

"Have some honey water to soothe your throat."

Not wanting to spoil the mood, Harry handed over a glass bottle. However, upon seeing the familiar bottle, Uncle Vernon hesitated once more.

"This better not be some kind of honey-flavored potion."

Grimacing and stamping his foot, Uncle Vernon twisted open the cap and gulped down the light golden liquid. Immediately, the fiery heat in his mouth was greatly alleviated.

"You should've given me this earlier. I wouldn't have had to make so many trips to the bathroom."

With a hint of regret, Uncle Vernon spoke, clearly upset about nearly developing a fear of toilets that day. "By the way, Harry, what's going on?"

"Uncle, can you help book another room? The hotel we're staying at has a presidential suite, right? The girl across from me is on her first trip, and we only realized we hadn't booked a hotel room when we were almost there."

"Oh, I'll make a call." Uncle Vernon pulled out a newly bought Nokia phone. In a world where technological advancements were progressing rapidly, electronics had been researched and developed quite early. Even though it was still a few days until 1993, the era of the brick mobile phones had passed long ago, and touchscreens were already available.

After dialing the hotel, Uncle Vernon's brows furrowed slightly as he murmured a couple of times, before reluctantly turning to Harry and saying, "The room I booked for you was the last one available. The hotel is fully booked for Christmas, there's nothing left."

"Then maybe..."

Harry was about to suggest squeezing in with Dudley, but before he could finish, Fleur, curious, tugged at his sleeve.

"How about I stay with Gabrielle at your place?"

"Huh?"

"Huh!"

The Dursley father and son responded in perfect sync, their expressions starkly different. Uncle Vernon's "huh" was filled with confusion, thinking to himself, 'In just a train ride, Harry managed to... cough, cough, he certainly has his youth's charm. That lazy, husky voice alone tells me this girl is surely not lacking in beauty.'

As for Dudley, he was practically about to shout: Father, please! Teach me your ways, I beg of you!

"Set up a tent in my room?" Harry turned to look at Fleur, unsure if he misunderstood.

"Yeah, setting up a tent outside would be a hassle. If it's in the hotel, it would be much more convenient."

Fleur nodded, adding, "I don't like using summoned water; it just feels... dirty."

"Will it disturb you?"

"I don't mind, as long as the snoring doesn't reach the tent, it'll be fine."

Harry shrugged indifferently. He had a natural resistance to the enchanting allure of Veela, or more specifically, their half-blooded descendants, like Fleur. To him, Fleur and Gabrielle were simply ordinary, lovely girls.

This indifference, which set him apart from everyone else, served as a boost to Fleur's affection for him. Even her family, upon seeing her with him, couldn't help but sense something different. Someone who had always been treated as special naturally yearned for the simplicity of being treated like an ordinary person.

"By the way, Fleur, do you know how to cook? After skiing, I'm planning to find some local specialties in the mountains. How about we have dinner together tonight?"

"A little bit, I help my mom out at home." Fleur nodded happily, then pulled her hand back from where she was about to hand over the 'hotel fee.' "As long as you don't mind if I'm a bit clumsy."

"My sister makes amazing crepes, and macaroons too!"

Gabrielle, excited at the prospect of dinner, stood up from her seat. When she flashed a bright, sweet smile, it felt like the whole train compartment had been brightened, with several gazes directed toward her. This made Gabrielle shyly crouch back down, casting a pitiful look at her sister.

"Well then, it's settled."

The train's whistle blew, and it slowly came to a stop at the platform.

(End of Chapter)